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Colorado Rockies at Atlanta Braves

It certainly looks like it will be a weekend slugfest when the Rockies come into Atlanta to face one of the more rejuvenated and talented offenses in baseball. With Mark Texieira onboard, expect big numbers the rest of the way for arguably the deepest lineup in all of the NL. Colorado, too, has shown the ability to mash, and with two somewhat average starting staffs, 'overs' could be the play between these two.

The Rockies have shown at times to be a very formidable team. With bats like Matt Holliday and Todd Helton sitting in the middle of the batting order, they are a big reason why I consider the NL West to be the toughest division in baseball this season. Atlanta has their top two arms in Smoltz and Hudson lined up to counter the attack in the first two games.

Probable Pitching Match-ups

Friday - Jeff Francis vs. John Smoltz
Saturday - Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Tim Hudson
Sunday - Aaron Cook vs. Chuck James

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium plays host to the premier match-up of the weekend. Yep, it's Arizona in first place and everyone else playing catch-up -- at least for now. And yours truly is one baseball follower not surprised. We said the Diamondbacks would be in first place at one point in the season past Aug.1. They are a very resilient group, led by some young, talented hitters, and this series has every bit the make-up of a playoff series. Sunday's finale has all the makings with last year's Cy Young Brandon Webb against this year's front-runner in Brady Penny.

Either one of these two could come away with the division crown, not to mention falling back to the wild card spot or being beat out by the Padres altogether. This NL West race looks to be the most likely headed down to the final weekend, and we can only hope a three-team, winner-take-all tourney would be added to the schedule that final Monday to dictate the final playoff spot.

Probable Pitching Match-ups

Friday - Doug Davis vs. Chad Billingsley
Saturday - Livan Hernandez vs. Derek Lowe
Sunday - Brandon Webb vs. Brad Penny